bata dance

howdy folks. well i had a pretty interesting weekend with a few highlights. here, finally, is a picture on my blog! i'm at the alake's palace in abeokuta attending the second anniversary of his coronation and the recommissioning of the palace's chapel. dating back to 1845 (i think), the church is the site of the first 'western' school in nigeria -- where the children of the yoruba kings attended classes with english tutors. unfortunately we were a wee bit late to the event so spent most of our time seated under the overflow canopy outside of the church. we then did some more waiting for food (i hear that abeokuta folks love their parties, and parties entail a lot of sitting and waiting for food). it was actually on the way out of the palace that i took the opportunity to learn some bata dancing -- 'traditional' dancing with drums. it was fun and, as always, generally entertaining to see an oyinbo try to dance. i'm wearing a suit made out of adire fabric -- a style of dyeing that hails from abeokuta.

there are more stories up my sleeve, but right now i have to go run some errands. love to all!

feeling very much at home...

hello out there, and greetings! i'm writing you this time from a small postgraduate computer cluster at the university of ibadan. last time i described what it's been like to live with a very protective host family. i've actually decided to pursue accommodation on campus so that i can claim more independence and get more work done. i am excited by the prospect of building a cohort of postgraduate friends here. i've met a group of economics PhD students from sierra leone, and they are super fun and interesting. hopefully the change of living space will happen from next week. even as i continue to iron out logistical issues, i am enjoying the feeling of having now a very strong base, including a growing network of great friends, from which to work for the next six and a bit months. i will be cutting my fieldwork slightly short so that i can return in time for the wedding of my wee brother in may (very very exciting, congratulations todd and emma!). perhaps the 'lost' research time will bolster my excuse to return here next year for a few extra months of fieldwork as i finish writing up my PhD :)

the weather is turning hotter and drier as harmatton approaches. it's the season when the sands from the sahara blow southward, when everything will be coated in a thick layer of dust. but we're still enjoying dramatic late night thunder storms. i went outside and played in the last one. hopefully tomorrow night will be dry, though, as i'll be attending a barbecue at the home of a few friends. i'll contribute roasted chicken and plantain and clown games for the kids. mmmm....